Siphelele Nketo
AHEAD of local government elections on November 4, a long-serving councillor for the EFF in Kokstad Lionel Dlamini has left the EFF and joined the ANC. Dlamini was welcomed at an ANC gathering in Shayamoya, Kokstad, on Wednesday, October 21. Welcoming Dlamini at the event was Bheki Mtolo, the ANC Provincial Task Team Working Committee member and other members of the ANC. Mtolo said that the ANC is home to everyone. He said that the party has also welcomed other members from other parties.
Three new members including Dlamini were given ANC T-shirts at the event as a welcoming gesture.
When speaking, Dlamini praised Mtolo for being considerate when he was the mayor of the Greater Kokstad Municipality. Dlamini said joining the ANC was better than joining other parties.
“I was an ANC member previously. Going back to the ANC was not a mistake,” he stated. EFF election coordinator in Kokstad Zukisani Tshangase said that the partey did not receive a formal resignation notice from Dlamini, but instead, the party learnt about his move from pictures that were shared to the organisation. Tshangase said that the organisation was not surprised with Dlamini’s decision, as his involvement with EFF activities had never been enough.
“At the EFF manifesto launch in Kokstad recently, Dlamini was not actively involved with the preparations of the event,” Tshangase said. He said that Dlamini’s move to the ANC would not impact the EFF as the election date of November 4 draws closer.
